Rails To Trails | Health & Safety Public Comment from Tommy Lusk Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Tommy Lusk <tommy.lusk@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2024 9:12 AM
To: railstotrailsofnwmt@gmail.com; Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Fwd: FW: Rails To Trails ( Health & Safety
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As suggested by Diane Medler, I'm forwarding this information to you.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Diane Medler<diane - discoverkalispell.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Subject: FW: Rails To Trails I Health &Safety
To: tommy.lusk gmail.com <tommy.lusk gmaiLcom>
Cc: Lorraine Clarno <Lclarno()kalispellchamber.com>
Hello Tommy, thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts about what you have experienced on the Rails
to Trails. It is a wonderful amenity enjoyed by locals and visitors, and the group of volunteers that work to maintain
it are very dedicated. But, as you outlined,there are issues with certain areas of the trail, particularly the trestle
area due to the houseless people camping. I've ridden the trail and agree, going through that area doesn't feel safe
and smells, particularly in warm weather.
Vagrancy and the vibrancy of downtown Kalispell remain a top priority for Discover Kalispell and the Discover
Kalispell Chamber. We work closely with other business members,the downtown Business Improvement District,
and communicate regularly with the City. Now with the Parkline Trail in place and its connection to Rails to Trails it's
so important that we work towards creating a safe and clean trail experience for residents and visitors.
You outlined the issues and offer several potential solutions in your email.We will share that information with the
downtown action committee and City Parks and Recreation. I recommend that you also send your comments to City
Council and/or speak under Public Comment at a City Council meeting. I also recommend that you contact Rails to
Trails of NW Montana, they have quarterly meetings and are always in need of volunteers.
Thank you,
Diane
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From: Discover Kalispell Information <info(a)discoverkatispell.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 2:04 PM
To: Lorraine Clarno <I.clarno(a)katispellchamber.com>; Diane Medler<diane(a)discoverkatispell.com>
Subject: FW: Rails To Trails I Health &Safety
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Download our 2024/25 Kalispell Adventure Guide here.
..........................
From:Tommy Lusk<tommy.lusk(q)gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 1:29 PM
To: hacontactus(a)ftathead.mt.gov; cityma na ger(d)ka li spell.co m; info(a)downtownkatispell.com; Discover
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Kalispell Information <info _ discoverkalispell.com>; railtrails()railstotrails.org,
Subject: Rails To Trails I Health &Safety
I'm reaching out to the offices here to notify you of both Public Health and Public Safety Issues along the
Rails To Trails route a short distance west of Meridian Road, Kalispell, where the trail crosses under a
small and low trestle - head clearance is probably not more than 8-feet. This is also an eyesore that the
City, Parks, and the Rails-to-Trails should be aware of.
I am a bicycle rider and use the trail daily- it's a gift to have such a nice trail. I've seen a significant
influx of trail use byjoggers and bicyclists since the weather got warmer in Kalispell There are many e-
Bikes on the trail, most I talk to on the trail(while waiting for the traffic signals to change) are in Kalispell
vacationing.
Public Health Issues:
• A handful of people seem to be living under the trestle - I will refer to them as;
• Urinating and defecating in and around the area is suspected as there is a distinct foul smell
under the trestle
o I've seen homesteaders coming out of the nearby bushes a couple of times - half
dressed.
• A collection of old furniture has accumulated - a collection from dumpsters I suspect
• Blankets are hanging on the trestle and bushes in the morning.
• People are sleeping alongside the trail and under the trestle.
• It is unclear where garbage is being disposed of.
• There's a tremendous amount of cigarette butts in the area - under and near the trestle.
Public Safety Issues:
• The trail narrows and the trail makes a sharp S-curve under the trestle. There are trestle posts in
the middle of the trail when under the trestle.
o Maneuvering under the trestle precarious even when knowledgeable of the homesteaders
presence
• The homesteaders living there are normally taking up the widest area under the trestle - it is
simply not passable on a bicycle; undesirable for joggers or people walking
• The blankets hanging about reduce the entry and exit under the trestle
• I have encountered homesteaders on both sides of the trestle at the same time -
maneuvering through either side of the trestle underpass in difficult
• 1 have on two occasions seen people sleeping on the edge of the trail
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• There is abundant gravel on the trail making it difficult to maneuver through the S-curve,
avoiding gravel, and avoiding homesteaders
• This morning I nearly ran into the homesteaders as they had gathered on the far western side of
the trestle enjoying the morning sun with coffee. I hadn't encountered the homesteaders in this
area previously
• There is an abundance of broken glass in this area all the way out to where the trail intersects with
the Highway 93 portion of the trail.
o Quality bicycle tires cost from $40.00 to $120.00.
o Glass can cause a flat; a flat can cause a bicycle to go down
o Tourists on 70 pound eBikes, if flatted, would be in a bind
Rails-To-Trails Maintenance:
• Recently, the homesteaders have started moving the retaining wall blocks under the trestle. I
suspect they are taking down the wall blocks to have easier access to a place to sit in the shade.
• Mentioned previously
o the area is strewn with cigarette butts
o There is a lot of broken glass on the trail
Recommendations
• Find reasonable accommodations for the homesteaders
• Provide health services for the homesteaders
• Clean up the area
• Replace the wall blocks
• Sweep up broken glass and cigarette buts
• Remove dumpster furniture
• Install'S-Curve' signage on both sides of the trestle area to alert tourists
Way Forward
• 1 would be happy to help with a cleanup effort.
Regards,
Tommy Lusk,AIA
206.930.2089
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